Teachers Notes

School and Group Visits

This information has been designed to support teachers and group leaders bringing a group to Rockbourne Roman Villa. The resources are aimed at KS2 but can be adapted to suit your needs if adequate time is allowed between the booking and date of the visit.

Booking a Visit

We can accommodate up to 3 class size groups (max 90 children), and our programme is tailored to meet the needs of a class or large size groups.

Groups of less than 32 can enjoy a 2 hour workshop; Slaves for a Day or Archaeologist for a Day.

Slaves for a Day - £52 (2 hour workshop)

A popular session for year 3 and 4. Children are dressed as slaves and explore the site with a costumed interpretor. This is an interactive tour of the site followed by hands on activities placing the children into ‘slave gangs’ as they complete tasks to present to the mistress. This is a great session for discovering and understanding what life was like in a Romano-British Villa and exploring the transition from Iron Age Britain to Roman Britain.

Archaeologist for a Day - £52 (2 hour workshop)

A popular session for year 5 and 6. Children explore the site from the perspective of an archaeologist and take part in a range of hands on activities designed to challenge their critical thinking skills. Children discover what life was like in the villa by investigating the artefacts and remains of the site, they also take part in a ‘mock dig’ to excavate real Roman archaeology.

These sessions can be included in a whole day programme with Object Handling activity in the afternoon.

Larger groups (more than 1 class) can enjoy a carousel of 1 hour activities prearranged with the group leader.

Carousel - 1 hour sessions, £26 per hour per class

(Some activities may be self led by a teacher, reducing the cost of the programme)

Explore the Site with an interpreter (resources available if self led by a teacher)

Object Handling workshop in the museum

Roman Ink making interactive demonstration

Roman perfumed oil interactive demonstration

Make a Mini Mosaic (resources available if self led by a teacher)

Make a Roman Pot

Build a Catapult (year 5/6 only)

A typical programme for 1 class can look like this:

10am – 12pm Slaves for a Day

12 midday – 1pm Lunch and use of shop

1pm – 2pm Object Handling

Larger groups are usually split into 3 smaller groups and carousel around 3 different 1 hour sessions. Group 1’s programme may look like this:

10am – 11am : Group 1 Explore the Site

11am – 12 midday : Group 1 Object Handling

12 midday – 1pm : Lunch and use of shop

1pm – 2pm : Group 1 Roman Ink Making

Group 2 and Group 3 will alternate the same sessions.

Opening Times

Rockbourne Roman Villa is open to museum led school bookings Monday to Wednesday, 10am – 2.30pm, between April and October. Schools booking a self led visit can do so on Thursday and Fridays, between April to September when the museum is open to the general public.

Wet weather

The site of the remains of the Roman Villa is open air and grassed. In wet weather the site can become very muddy and sometimes water logged. All children should bring wellington boots and waterproof coats. Sometimes it is necessary for the children to take off their boots when entering the museum into a change of shoes.

Cold weather

The children will spend a significant amount of time outdoors, and the activity marquee is unheated and can become draughty. Children should bring jumpers and hats in cold weather. We also recommend jeans or trousers for boys and girls.

Hot weather

Children should bring named sun hats and sun cream should be applied before the visit. School shoes or trainers are advised rather than sandals.

Lunch

Packed lunches are welcome but we do request you bring your own rubbish bags and take your litter with you. The site has picnic tables and shaded areas for picnics, schools can also use the activity marquee and museum for lunches as appropriate depending on the weather and size of the group.

Money

We can open the shop when the museum is closed by request only. The museum shop sells a range of pocket money gifts such as postcards, stationary, and gems. We recommend £1.50 - £3

Wet Weather Plan

There is a wet weather plan for Slaves for a Day and Archaeologist for a Day, however, wet weather arrangements become increasingly difficult with larger groups as the under cover areas can only accommodate up to 70 children in total, comfortably and safely during the delivery of activities. Larger groups should prepare for possible cancellation of reschedule if wet / extreme weather is deemed a risk to safety and / or comfort.